One step closer to water

JOSH FAHLSING

Published 8:00 pm, Thursday, August 26, 2004

Nearly 100 people gathered at Port Austin Village Hall to witness the closing of the $11.335 million loan from the United States Department of Agriculture to the Huron Regional Water Authority and the breaking of the ground for the new water plant on Spring Street. The group then moved down the block for a celebratory luncheon, and official check presentation, at Joe's Pizzeria.

Dale Sherwin, state director of the USDA, presented the water authority with the check and expressed his gratitude to those who have helped with the progress of the project.

"Everybody here has made a contribution and been willing to come together and support this project. Today is a day to properly honor those who have been involved," Sherwin said, singling out Sen. Jim Barcia, State Rep. Tom Meyer and U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller. "From inception, Sen. Jim Barcia, we appreciate your undying support and efforts to get money when we didn't even have a solid program together. We appreciate the support of Candice Miller, our present congresswoman, and Tom Meyer, who's been right by my side since day one."

It was just over a year ago when the future of the regional project hung perilously close to the edge. Sherwin told officials from Bad Axe and Port Austin during a meeting in Lansing last August that without a regional authority the USDA and its money would walk away from the project.

"(The project) is a milestone for development in this area. We have a regional approach, this is a project for the region," Sherwin said. "It's been too long a shame that we haven't been able to drink good water in some parts of this area."

Don Pascarella, water authority chairman, thanked all of the people who worked behind the scenes to help the project move forward.

"There were a lot of unsung heroes behind this project," Pascarella said. "We want to thank all of the residents of the village and city who have encouraged us to hang in there."

Water authority Vice Chairman Fred Kalis said he was excited to see life breathed into the project Thursday.

"It's been a long ordeal. There's so many people who put their hearts and souls into it," he said. "It's had its ups and downs, but like any good process, it's the result that comes out of that that matters. This will serve us, our children and their children."

Kalis said the effects of the project go beyond the development of the region.

"The health issues, particularly on our end (Bad Axe), this will help solve that and prevent further tragedy," he said. "I want to compliment the city and the village and the other members of this board for their work in putting this together."

Tentative completion dates for the project could see water pumping through Port Austin to Bad Axe as soon as June 2005. That is the target date for completion of the water plant. The pipeline from the plant to the first booster station is scheduled for completion in November, the pipeline to Kinde in January 2005 and the booster stations in March 2005.